Water system protection for vacuum type washing



Feb. 5, 1952 Filed March 3, 1948 H. J. RAND WATER SYSTEM PROTECTION FOR VACUUM TYPE WASHING nvvgu ra HENRY :2" RA Na ATTGRIVE'YJ Patented Feb. 5, 1952 WATER SYSTEM PROTECTION FOR VACUUM TYPE WASHING Henry J. Rand, Bratenahl, Ohio, assignor to H. J. Rand Washing Machine Corp., Bratenahl, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application March 3, 1948, Serial No. 12,829

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improved means for protecting a water system which has a conduit connection with a washing machine utilizing vacuum as a portion of its operating cycle.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide means for use in combination with a washing machine wherein a flexible liquid and air-tight bag is adapted to hold laundry and detergent while a washing operation takes place in the interior of the bag. After this a partial vacuum is created within the bag causing the same to collapse against the laundry to squeeze the liquid out of it. An object of the present invention is to provide means for automatically relieving the vacuum within the bag before water is again admitted to the interior of the bag.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for the admission of water to a bag in a machine of the type described above, and to provide for the automatic overflow of the liquid unless the vacuum within the bag has first been relieved.

Still another object of the present invention is to so combine the admission of water to the flexible bag and the relieving of the vacuum within the bag so as to insure that at no time can contaminated water be sucked back into the water supply system. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the essential features thereof will be set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a view partially in side elevation and partially'in central sectional view showing one form of washing machine equipped with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental sectional view of a modified form of machine showing the upper central portion of the machine in central sectional view.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental sectional view enlarged taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; while Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing another modification of my invention.

In a machine of the type described wherein a vacuum is created inside a flexible bag for the purpose of collapsing the bag against the laundry to dry the same, a problem is involved where the washing machine is connected to a city water supply system for the supply of fresh water to the machine and to the interior of the bag thereof. In some cases if conditions within the water supply system should create a partial vacuum there. it would be possible for contaminated water in the interior of the flexible bag to be sucked ha k into the water supply system unless a socalled vacuum breaker" is supplied in the inlet system at a level above a water run-off point so that the water supply system could not come into direct contact with the dirty water in the bag under any circumstances. The present invention carries out these objectives in several different forms.

In the form shown in Fig. l a flexible liquid and airtight bag I0 is supported by a. cylindrical vertical ring II which sets in an annular base member l2. The bag has an open neck at Illa which is adapted to be closed by a cover 13 which is provided with a flexible seal l4 where'it engages the neck of the bag. This cover is more fully described and claimed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 5623, filed January 31, 1948. In the central bottom portion of the bag is a hollow agitator I5 which is oscillated by means of a shaft l6 which passes out the bottom of the bag and the tub through a liquid-tight seal. A motor such as that shown at I! is provided with suitable mechanism for oscillating the agitator. Liquid is supplied to the interior of the bag from a source l8 controlled by valve l9 and passing through a line 20 to a jet 2|. Normally a ball valve 22 closes the valve opening 23 but when this valve is open liquid may flow through line 24 to a water inlet 25 located beneath the agitator l5 and permitting the entrance of water to the inte-' rior of the bag Hi. When it becomes necessary to create a partial vacuum within-the bag'then line 24 is connected through line :26 by means. of valve 21 to a pump 28 which creates a partial vacuum within the bag to collapse the same;

In a machine of the type just described I provide means for insuring that water will overflow outside the bag unless the vacuum within the bag is relieved before fresh water is supplied thereto. Referring to Fig. 1 it will be noted that the water inlet jet 2! is placed above the level of the seal I4 where the cover I3 engages the neck of the bag Illa. The ball 22 is of very light construction such as of thin aluminum material or of plastic and is sucked tightly against the seat 23 whenever there is a partial vacuum within the bag ID. .If at such a time water should be admitted through valve l9 and line 20 to the jet 2| the water will play upon the ball 22 but will not cause the ball to be lifted but instead will overflow the upper edge of the cup 30. Means is provided for relieving theflvacuum withinthe bag I0 so as to prevent such a spilling of water. In the present instance openings 3| and 32 are provided through the cover I 3 and a valve 33 is provided under the control of knob 34 so as to open and close the vent 3|. may be provided for relieving the vacuum as will later appear.

manipulates the knob 34 so as to open the vent' 3|. Thereafter he opens valve l9 admitting water to the jet 2 l This water flowing downwardly over the light ball 22 may be arranged in a hollow cone of water by means well-known so that Automatic means aseipeo the jet of water will lift the ball 22 away from the seat 23 as shown in Fig. l. The water then flows downwardly through pipe 24 so as to fill the bag It. In this form of my device I have thus made it necessary to first relieve the vacuum within the bag In or otherwise the tresh water will overflow upon the floor through'an opening 30a in the casing enclosing the machine rather than entering the bag.

A modification of this device adapted to relieve the vacuum automatically instead manually. is shown in Fig. 4. Here the bag III is intended to illustrate a washing machine like that shown in Fig. l. The cover I3 is slightly different in that a central vertical channel 32?) is provided through the cover for the admission of water. A partition 32a divides the channel 321) and is provided with a circular valve seat 33a. This is adapted to be closed by a light ball 34a. A water jet 35 of the hollow cone type is provided for the admission of fresh water to the interior of the bag l0 when supplied through the line 36. It will be noted that the jet 35 is vertically above the level where seal l4 joins the neck of the bag.

Means is provided in the above device for automatically relieving the vacuum within the bag It before fresh water enters the same. This means comprises a vent 31 through the wall of the chamber 32. This is normally closed by a valve 38 under the tension of spring 39. A bell crank 40' is provided for opening this valve and this bell crank is operatively connected with a solenoid 4|. This solenoid is energized through the electric lines 42 indicated.

The device of Fig. 4 might well be used in an automatic system such as that disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 5,619, filed January 31, 1948. In such a'system the solenoid 4| would be placed in circuit with both the solenoid 19a and 80a of my latter co-pending application. These control the admission of hot or mixed water respectively to the interior of a has such as that here shown at I0. Obviously, whenever these solenoids of my latter co-pending application were energized to admit fresh water to the interior of the bag, the solenoid 4| of the present application would be energized also in a direction to cause counterclockwise movement of the bell crank 40 so as to open the valve 38 and relieve the vacuum within the bag. With the vacuum thus relieved, the water jet at 35 would lift the light ball 34 as indicated in Fig. 4 so as to permit the fresh water to run into the bag. A selector switch 84 is provided when, in the position shown, will cause the hot water solenoid 19a to be energized. When energization of the solenoid 80a is desired, the selector switch is moved to cause current from line L2 to flow through conductor 86. A main on and off switch 93 may be provided for this circuit as shown.

A further modification of my invention is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Here the bag I0" is similar to the bag previously described and is intended to form part of a washing machine like that shown in Fig. 1. Here the cover 43 is provided with a central chamber 44 in the upper portion of which is provided a water jet 45 of the hollow cone type supplied through a conduit 46 with fresh liquid either hot, cold or mixed intended to be supplied to the interior of the bag. A partition 41 closes the chamber 44 except for a central circular opening therethrough 48. The jet 45 is so positioned that it will flow through 4 the opening 43 when the latter is clear. Means is provided for normally closing the opening 44. This comprises a flat valve 49 which is normally urged to position closing the opening 44 by meansnot shown. The closed position or the Lil valve is indicated in dot-dash lines in Figs. 2 and 3. Here again it should be noted that the jet 43 is above the level where the cover seal 52 engages the neck of the bag I0".

In this form or my device if it is attempted to supply water through line 48 and jet 45 with the valve 49 in its closed .position, the water will spill out the vent opening 53 at the upper end of the chamber 44. If however, the solenoid 50 is operated to open the valve 49 to the full line position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, then the jet of water will flow through the opening 48 to the interior of the bag. Thus, communication between the interior of the bag and the water supply system as indicated at 48 is impossible unless the vacuum is relieved within the bag and then water cannot rise to a level above the seal 52 without flowing outwardly through the seal and therefore there can never be any physical connection between the water in the bag and the water supply system. v

Obviously the solenoid 50 might be connected into the automatic washing machine circuits of my co-pending application, Serial No. 5,619, as described in connection with Fig. 4.

What I claim is:

1. A washing machine having a flexible liquidand air-tight bag within which laundry is adapted to be placed and having an open neck of said bag at the top, a cover for closing the same provided with a yielding seal permitting egress of fluids outwardly only, means for. washing laundry in said bag, vacuum means for withdrawing liquid and air from said bag to collapse the bag upon the laundry to dry it, a liquid supply conduit having an outlet open to the atmosphere at a level above said bag neck, a second conduit for passing liquid to said bag, valve means below the outlet and also above said has neck, for passing liquid from said first conduit to said second conduit and thus into said bag, means for relieving the vacuum in the bag, said cover sealing said open neck while saidbag is under vacuum, said valve means discharging liquid only when said vacuum relieving means has operated.

2. .A washing machine having a flexible liquidand air-tight bag within which laundry is adapted to be placed and having an open neck of said bag at the top, a cover for closing the same provided with a yielding seal permitting egress of fluids outwardly only, means for washing laundry in said bag, vacuum means for withdrawing liquid and air from said bag to collapse the bag upon the laundry to dry it, a liquid supply conduit having an outlet open to the atmosphere at a level above said bag neck, a second conduit for passing liquid to said bag, valve means below the outlet and also above said bag neck, for passing liquid from said first conduit to said second conduit and thus into said bag, means for relieving the vacuum in the bag, said cover sealing said open neck while said bag is under vacuum.

3. A washing machine having a flexible liquidand air-tight bag within which laundry is adapted to be placed and having an open neck of said bag at the top, a cover for closing the same provided with a yielding seal permitting egress of fluids outwardly only, means for washing laundry in said bag, vacuum means for withdrawing liquid andair from said bag to collapse the bag upon the laundry to dry it, a liquid supply conduit for filling said.bag,'said conduit being open to the atmosphere at a level above said bag neck, valve means adapted to open to'permit the entrance of liquid into said bag, said valve means being closed while said bag is subjected to vacuum and opened by passing of liquid through said conduit, and means for relieving the vacuum within said bag thereby enabling opening ofsaid valve means on subsequent passing of liquid through said conduit, said cover sealing said open neck while said bag is subjectedto vacuum.

4. A washing machine having a flexible liquidand air-tight bag within which laundry is adapted to be placed and having an open neck of said bag at the top, a cover for closing the same provided with a yielding seal permitting egress of fluids outwardly only, means for washin laundry in said bag, vacuum means for withdrawing liquid and air from said bag to collapse the bag upon the laundry to dry it, a liquid supply conduit having an outlet open to the atmosphere at a level above said bag neck, a second conduit for passing liquid to said bag, a first valve means controlling flow of fluid into said first conduit, a second valve means controlling flow of fluid into said bag, means for relieving the vacuum in said bag, said cover sealing said open neck while said bag is under vacuum, said second valve means discharging liquid only when said vacuum relieving means has operated.

5. A washing machine having a flexible liquidand air-tight bag within which laundry is adapted to be placed and having an open neck of said bag at the top, a cover for closing same provided with a yielding seal permitting egress of fluids outwardly only, means for washing laundry in said bag, vacuum means for withdrawing liquid and air from said bag to collapse the bag upon the laundry to dry it, a liquid supply con- 6 same provided with a yielding seal permitting egress of fluids outwardly only, means for washing laundry in said bag, vacuum means for withdrawing liquid and air from said bag to collapse the bag upon the laundry to dry it, a chamber in said cover communicating with the interior of said bag and extending above said open neck, a liquid supply conduit entering said chamber above the level of said open neck, valved means closing said chamber between said conduit and said bag, there being a vent to atmosphere from said chamber, said cover sealing said open neck while said bag is under vacuum, and means for opening said valved means thereby to relieve the vacuum within said bag.

8. A washing machine having a flexible liquidand air-tight bag within which laundry is adapted to be placed and having an open neck of said bag at the top, a cover for same provided with a yielding seal permitting egress of fluids outwardly only, means for washing laundry in said bag, vacuum means for withdrawing liquid and air from said bag to collapse the'bag upon the laundry to dry it, a chamber communicating with the interior of said bag and extendin above said open neck, a liquid supply conduit entering said chamber and terminating in a downwardly turned sprayhead of the hollow cone jet type duit for filling said bag, said conduit having an opening to the atmosphere at a level above said bag neck, there being a fllling opening leading from said conduit to the interior of said bag, said filling opening being the only opening into said bag when said cover is in neck closing position, a valve having open and shut positions for controlling said opening, and means for simultaneously opening said valve and relieving a vacuum within said bag, said cover sealing said open neck while said bag is under vacuum.

6. A washing machine having a flexible liquidand air-tight bag within which laundry is adapted to be placed and having an open neck of said bag at the top, a cover for closing the same provided with a yielding seal permitting egress of fluid outwardly only, means for washing laundry in said bag, vacuum means for withdrawing liquid and air from said bag to collapse the bag upon the laundry to dry it, a chamber in said cover communicating with the interior of said bag and extending above the level of said open neck, a liquid supply conduit entering said chamber above the level of said open neck, valved means closing said chamber between said conduit and said bag, there being a vent to the atmosphere from said chamber, andmeans for controlling said valved means thereby to relieve a vacuum in said bag, said cover sealing said open neck while said bag is under vacuum.

7. A washing machine having a flexible liquidand air-tight bag within which laundry is adapted to be placed and having an open neck of said bag at the top, a cover for closing the above the level of said neck opening, a partition across said chamber below said s-prayhead, there being a ventto atmosphere from said chamber above said partition, there being an opening through said partition directly beneath said sprayhead, a light ball valve loosely restingon said partition and normally closing said opening, said ball valve adapted to be lifted by a jet from said sprayhead when pressure above and below said ball are substantially equal, said cover sealing said open neck while said bag is under vacuum, and means for relieving the vacuum within said bag, whereby said ball valve closes said opening until the vacuum within said bag is relieved.

9. A washing machine having a flexible liquidand air-tight bag within which laundry is adapted to be placed and having an open neck of said bag at the top, a cover for same provided with a yielding seal permitting egress of fluids outwardly only, means for washing laundry within said bag, vacuum means for withdrawing liquid and air from said bag to collapse the bag upon the laundry to dry it, a bag filling conduit open to the atmosphere at a point above said seal, a first valve means controllin fluid flow through said conduit, a second valve means controlling fluid flow into said bag, means for relieving the vacuum within said bag, said second valve means being constructed and arranged to be opened only after the vacuum has been relieved by said vacuum relieving means.

HENRY J. RAND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,044,443 Ott June 16, 1936 2,178,385 Alward Oct. 31, 1939 2,211,459 .Dawson Aug. 13, 1940 2,388,868 Ray Nov. 13, 1945 1 2,417,908 Bowen Mar. 25, 1947 2,417,998 Wales Mar. 25, 1947 2,449,634 Baade Sept. 21, 1948 

